Feast your way around the world: The top 10 global food destinations revealed

Are you a food enthusiast looking for your next culinary adventure? We’ve got you covered!

At eShores, we’ve delved deep into the world of gastronomy to bring you the ultimate list of global food destinations. We’ve researched some of the best locations for food lovers worldwide, considering factors such as the number of Michelin-starred restaurants, food-related activities, affordability, and social media popularity. Using these criteria, we developed the Foodie Travel Index to showcase the best of the best cities for food lovers around the world.

While some of the top ten are already renowned food locations, some might just surprise you!

Read on to discover the world’s foodie hotspots and learn why these top ten locations are a food lovers’ paradise.

The top 10 cities for food enthusiasts

1. Tokyo, Japan

2. Paris, France

3. Bangkok, Thailand

4. Singapore

5. Osaka, Japan

6. London, UK

7. Hong Kong

8. Kyoto, Japan

9. Seoul, South Korea

10. Barcelona, Spain

What makes these the best cities for food lovers?

So, we know the rankings. But what makes each of these cities a culinary paradise? Here, we break down why each city scored so highly, with some insight from celebrated chef Dean Harper into why some locations are surging in popularity:

1. 1. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo takes the crown as the world’s best city for food lovers, and it’s easy to see why. With an astounding 203 Michelin-starred restaurants – the highest number in the world – Tokyo offers an unparalleled fine dining scene. But it’s not just about high-end cuisine; the city also boasts a huge 357 food-related activities on TripAdvisor, from street food tours to cooking classes. Despite its reputation for being expensive, Tokyo ranks 4th for affordable dining options, with an average restaurant meal in Japan costing just £4.87.

Dean Harper, renowned chef and director at Harper Fine Dining, explains the appeal: “Japan’s influential food tourism presence arises from a combination of tradition, innovation and meticulous attention to detail. Tokyo’s culinary prowess is shaped by a deep reverence for fresh, seasonal ingredients, faultless presentation, and a dedication to mastering centuries-old techniques.”

2. 2. Paris, France

It won’t come as a huge surprise to many to see Paris scoring so highly on the list. The French city is home to 108 Michelin-starred restaurants and offers 282 food-related activities. While dining out in Paris can be pricier (with an average meal cost of £12.70 across France), the city’s rich culinary heritage and world-renowned cuisine make it a must-visit for any serious foodie.

3. 3. Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok secures the third spot in the top destinations for foodies ranking, proving that great food doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. With the lowest average meal cost in our top 10, with a meal in Thailand coming in at just £2.14, Bangkok is a paradise for budget-conscious food lovers. The city offers 92 food-related activities and is famous for its vibrant street food scene.

4. 4. Singapore

Ranking fourth, Singapore is a melting pot of flavours, blending Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences. Singapore offers a diverse culinary landscape with 49 Michelin-starred restaurants and 82 food-related activities. Its popularity is evident on social media, with a whopping 1.8 million Instagram posts using #Singaporefood.

5. 5. Osaka, Japan

Often called “Japan’s kitchen,” Osaka takes fifth place. The city boasts 96 Michelin-starred restaurants and 86 food-related activities. Like Tokyo, it offers affordable dining options with an average meal cost of £4.87.

We’re excited to see Japan dominating the list, with three cities in the top 10. This underscores the country’s significant influence on global cuisine and its appeal to food-loving travellers.

6. 6. London, UK

Taking the sixth spot, London proves it’s about more than just fish and chips! With 65 Michelin-starred restaurants and 87 food-related activities, the British capital offers a diverse culinary scene. It’s also a social media favourite, with 3 million Instagram posts using #Londonfood. However, it’s worth noting that London is one of the pricier destinations, with an average meal cost of £15.

7. 7. Hong Kong

Hong Kong secures seventh place, offering a blend of traditional Cantonese cuisine and international flavours. The city boasts 71 Michelin-starred restaurants and, while it only has 39 listed food-related activities, its street food scene is legendary. Hong Kong’s cuisine is also popular on social media, with 1.5 million Instagram posts.

8. 8. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, Japan’s ancient once-capital, ranks eighth. With 108 Michelin-starred restaurants, it offers a high-end dining scene that rivals Tokyo and Paris. The city provides 75 food-related activities, allowing visitors to explore its unique culinary traditions.

9. 9. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul, the vibrant capital of South Korea, takes ninth place. With 33 Michelin-starred restaurants and 90 food-related activities, it offers a mix of traditional and modern culinary experiences. It is also accessible to those on a budget, with the average meal cost coming in at a reasonable £5.67.

10. 10. Barcelona, Spain

Rounding out our top 10 is Barcelona, Spain. While it has fewer Michelin-starred restaurants (19) compared to other cities on the list, it makes up for it with 148 food-related activities. From tapas tours to paella cooking classes, Barcelona offers a hands-on food experience for visitors.

The rise of Asian cuisine

It’s worth noting that six out of our top 10 foodie destinations are in Asia, highlighting the continent’s growing influence on global cuisine. Chef Dean Harper explains this trend:

“The ascendance of Asian cuisine on the global food scene is only expected to continue. Thanks to the rise of culinary tourism, travellers are eager to try out local specialities, with Asian gastronomy being one of the first to benefit from this trend.”

Dean shares some of his favourite spots for foodie travellers to visit:

“For authentic Cantonese cuisine, I recommend touring Hong Kong’s Kowloon City. While visiting Japan, make sure you take the time to relish the refined art of Kaiseki dining. Hong Kong is renowned for its delightful egg tarts, and don’t forget to visit South Korea for some hearty army stew (Budae Jjigae)! Singapore’s iconic chilli crab is also a must-eat dish, with Thailand’s piquant som tam being another common favourite among travellers.”

Methodology: How we found the best cities for food lovers

To create our index, we looked at:

• Number of Michelin-starred restaurants in each city
• Number of food-related activities listed on TripAdvisor, including street food tours, farmers markets, cooking classes, dining experiences, high tea, etc
• Average cost of a restaurant meal in the country
• Social media popularity (Instagram hashtags for each city’s cuisine, using #CityFood)

Cities received a score for each individual metric, with the best city scoring 1, the second best scoring 2, and so on. Then, the scores for the four metrics were averaged to create each city’s total combined score, with the lower the score, the higher the ranking in the foodie index.

Explore culinary destinations with eShores

By uncovering these foodie hotspots, we hope to inspire more travellers to embark on gastronomic adventures and create unforgettable memories through food.

If you’re looking to plan a food-focused getaway, we can put together your dream culinary itinerary. From multi-centre holidays exploring different regional cuisines to gourmet tours and world-class restaurants, get in touch with our friendly team to start planning your next foodie trip.